Quote:
Originally Posted by WDBCB20
High time Americans see European (currently around $7.72/gallon in Germany, seen at least as high as $9.40/gallon in the Netherlands) gasoline prices. It might help them see (not as a communist plot) modern efficient ubiquitous public transportation e.g. high speed rail (or just a non laughable rail system, for goodness sake), small diesel powered cars that routinely get over 45mpg (more than 50% of the European private fleet) and have their kids walk or bike to school instead of being 3 ton SUV'd by mom who then drives to the gym.
Making the "inner city" livable for everyone, not just the (darker skinned) underclass, (also seen as a communist plot) would reduce (often unnecessary - telecommuting anyone?) absurd commutes in from equally absurd mc mansion burbs.
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I think you're way off base. This is about government sponsored social programs and economics, and the taxes needed to support that spending - not race, as you indicate.
Much of Europe is heading in the austerity direction. They have learned that a diminishing population of workers and earlier retirements, free healthcare, to name just a few, have caused the taxation sytem to spiral upward as reflected in the fuel costs you quoted. Those three items drive taxes collected at the fuel pump in European countries.
We haven't learned that yet as a people in America. That is that social entitlement programs of all sorts are what drives taxation. As reflected in taxes collected at the fuel pump.
Public transportation of all description is a net tax increase to the general population. That is why financially it doesn't work and won't work here.
If you want lower taxes at the gas/diesel pump, cut the social programs. Since a country's social (welfare) programs are what drives taxes at the pump.
Public transportation fuels increases in taxation, not less, and has no effect on diminishing the costs of fuel. That dog won't hunt.